►Greek Mythology: “The Sphinx and her Riddle”.-

The Sphinx (from the greek word Σφίγξ, meaning “to squeeze”, “to tighten up”) was a female mythical creature with the body of a lion, the breast and head of a woman, eagle’s wings and, according to some, a serpent-headed tail.

According to Hesiod, the Sphinx was daughter of Orthus and Chimaera, born in the country of the Arimi (Theog. 326).

According to Sophocles, when King Laius of Thebes was murdered, by an unknown in a Phocian road, the king’s brother-in-law Creon came to power.

It was during his regency that the Sphinx came to Thebes, as a punishment, sent by Hera, or, according to other accounts, by Hades, and and gobbling up people

The Sphinx guarded the entrance to the Greek city of Thebes, and to have asked a riddle, which allowed people come into the city.

On the other hand, she started ravaging the fields and threatening people as she declared that she would not depart unless anyone interpreted her riddle

King Creon in accordance with an oracle, issued a proclamation promising that he would give the kingdom of Thebes and his sister Jocasta in marriage to the person solving the riddle of the Sphinx.

“What is it that has one voice and yet becomes four-footed and two-footed and three-footed?”.

Finally, Oedipus gave the proper answer: man, who crawls on all fours in infancy, walks on two feet when grown, and leans on a staff in old age. The sphinx thereupon killed herself. From this tale apparently grew the legend that the sphinx was omniscient, and even today the wisdom of the sphinx is proverbial.

Sphinxes were popular in ancient art, especially as sculptural grave stele set upon the tombs of men who died in youth.

The Sphinx was originally Egyptian or Ethiopian; but after her incorporation with Grecian story, her figure was variously modified.

The Egyptian Sphinx is the figure of an unwinged lion in a lying attitude, but the upper part of the body is human.

Unlike the Greek sphinx which was a woman, the Egyptian sphinx is typically shown as a man (anandrosphinx).

And the most well known among the Egyptian representations of Sphinxes is that of Ghizeh. Although the date of its construction is uncertain, the head of the Great Sphinx now is believed to be that of the pharaoh Khafra (2558 BC -2532 BC)

The common idea of a Greek Sphinx, on the other hand, is that of a monster with a head of a woman, a body of a lion, the wings of an eagle and a serpent-headed tail. Greek Sphinxes, moreover, are not always represented in a lying attitude.

I want to thank my friend Christy Birmingham from Poetic Parfait for nominating me for a Real Neat Blog Award.Please, If you still haven’t done so, visit Poetic Parfait to read some beautiful poems by Christy.

Here are the Award Rules:

1) The nominee shall display the respective logo on her/his blog and link to the blogger that has nominated her/him.

2) The nominee has to answer the seven (seven) questions asked by the blogger who nominated her/him.

3) The nominee shall nominate ten (10) bloggers or less, by linking to their blogs and informing them about the nomination.

311 Responses

The Sphinx it’s also a symbolic representation of the four fixed signs of the Zodiac: The body of a bull: Taurus, the paws of a lion: Leo, the wings of an eagle : Scorpio (The constellation of the eagle lays within the end of Scorpio)
And the face of a man: Aquarius.

This theme was common in ancient times, and in many cultures who followed Astrological studies, like the Babylonians, like the pictures you include in the post, even in Christianity it’s a common element each of the four evangelists Mathew, Luke, Mark, and John are represented by this symbolic figure, based in the Hermetic knowledge of the times.

Now I’m wondering why these figures were so important. Was the zodiac important, itself? And why? Or were these particular figures important for some reason? And why? This Is it similar to acknowledging/remembering the need for balance of the four elements?

Hi Georgia!… Following the previous comment by Burningheart and the further research I ‘ll try to answer.

The Sphinx according to hermetic theories represents The body of a bull: Taurus, the paws of a lion: Leo, the wings of an eagle : Scorpio (The constellation of the eagle lays within the end of Scorpio)
And the face of a man: Aquarius.
Or: Taurus the Bull for Gnomes; Leo the Lion for Salamanders; the Eagle for Sylphs; and the sign of Aquarius for Undines….

The combination of these four types of face and being represents the Created Universe, a complete and eternal entity,

The Zodic itself is important as it is an image of the whole existing things

The Four Powers of the Sphinx–to Know, to Will, to Dare and to Keep Silent–are also an important element.

The different variables and elements involved are related between each other in the following way:

Thanks for your questions which led me to great findings!.
Best wishes. Aquileana 😀

What interesting the hermetic and astrological approach are Burningheart.
Thanks for teaching me about that.
By the way I found this article which you may like: http://hermetic.com/osiris/onthepowersofthesphinx1.htm
Your comment is so clever that I am just beyond appreciative to read it this morning!… Sending you all my best wishes!. Aquileana 😀

Thank you Aquileana, I am familiar of many years with Alphonse Louis Constant (Eliphas Levi)since in my youth read his Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie.

The ancient cultures of the Mesopotamia, the Fertile Crescent, and Egypt, and many other cultures, including the Hindu, the Chinese, the Maya, etc. had their Religious Cosmology base in the symbolism of the Stars, and the precession of the Equinoxes and the symbolism of the Zodiac fix cross (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) was paramount to them, when we talk of their Religion, we are not talking like now days, were there is a separation between church and state, and your beliefs are a personal matter, in those days Astrology was the Science of the Magi, and Hierophants the movements of the stars and it’s symbolism were one in the same with the political system of Kings, Satraps, and Pharaohs, and decisions, on many matters at all levels had to be in accordance to their beliefs, no different from now days, except we do not include the movements, of Jupiter, Mercury, or Saturn in our decisions of State, or look for auspicious days to our daily business, or social events.

The whole thing it’s too large to discuss here, through my blog you will find many posts in which I write about subjects related to Astrology, and Cosmology, like the one in December of 2010 The Mother of all Sciences.

Maybe in my next post I would talk more about Cosmology, and the importance of the precession of the Equinoxes, will see.

Thank you again Aquileana for your kindness, patience, and sharing of information 🙂

Hmmm. Great post, Aquileana, but although I was very familiar with the riddle and Oedipus solving it, I missed some irony that I just now caught. The riddle also pertains to Oedipus. He started crawling on all fours, then on two legs, and finally, after tragically blinding himself, he needed a stick to walk with.

That is certainly a wonderful perspective on the riddle of the Sphinx, dear Jeff… You are so bright and clever!
Particularly if we keep in mind the tragedy “Oeadipus is Colonnus” is which the old man had to walk using a stick, guided by his daughter Antigone as he was already blind and exiled from Thebes!.
Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your comment!. Sending you all my best wishes!. Aquileana 😀

Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your beautiful comment!.
I am really pleased that you liked the post and that it helped you further understand Antigone and Oedipus Rex!
Sending you all my best wishes!. Aquileana 😛

Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your beautiful comment!.
I truly appreciate your words. And … Sometimes I wonder how I do it too…
I guess Patience is the key, dear Susan ⭐
Sending you all my best wishes!. Aquileana 😀

Dear Jo!.
How nice to read your comment this morning!… Thanks for dropping by… I am pleased to know that you enjoyed the reading and liked the paintings. I am wishing you a great holidays season. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Aquileana 😀

The Gallery of Sphinx is wonderful. Thanks for sharing those – seen some for real, but not all of them.
Swimming! YEA! And literature goes so well with art history.
Enjoyed the post. Merry merry, jingle onward!

Aquileana I did not know about the various sphinxes. Again I am learning with each of your posts. As always I appreciate the addition of the photos along with your well written and researched narrative. Wishing you all the very best.

Thank you very much for dropping by and for your beautiful comment!.
I am very happy to know that you enjoyed this post and learnt through the reading.
Sending you all my best wishes and wishing you Merry Christmas in advance. Aquileana 😀

Wonderful Aquileana! The Spinx is interesting, isn’t it? I’ve written about Chimeras from time to time. My new sonnet today had ties with my 11th in my Sonnets From Hush To Hush series, where I mentioned the Sphinx, as you can see below!

I still see behind the scenes, under fur, around feathers and between chainlink ringlets
but what remains to be seen is if marching our Autumn wardrum hearts to Year’s Ends
will end with us taking a leap of faith like lighthearted smiling Cheshire kitten children
flying like straw with conversations on wind through Winter love across long distances
coalescing together in Spring-shared twilight as each others breaths of fresh air and kin
or hearts crestfallen, as lemmings out of sync with love’s siren song, sleeping with fishes

….. And now I know the evolution of the Sphinx from Egyptian into Greek mythology. Thank you, Aquileana. 🙂
I find the rendition of the Sphinx”, by Gustave Moreau to be extremely alluring, pleasant and endearing like a favored purring pussy cat.
Have a wonderful Friday and weekend!

Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your beautiful comment, dear Resa!.
I truly appreciate your words and I am happy to know that you enjoyed the reading and liked the paintings.
I also love Moureau’s artwork!. Great choice.
Sending you all my best wishes!. Aquileana 😀

Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your beautiful comment!.
I truly appreciate your words and I would have liked to help you under those circumstances
Sending you all my best wishes!. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Aquileana 😀

Hi Syl!. Thank you very much for dropping by!. I am really pleased to know that you liked the post…
I was also more familiar with the Egyptian sphinx until I wrote this post and did the research for it.
Good to know more regarding other cultures’ sphinxes, right.?
Sending you all my best wishes, brother!. Aquileana 😀

Hello sweet AP! A new post and I am happy to drop by and wave at you as I leave a comment 🙂 Great post, honey! I am wondering if you want a decorative sphinx for Christmas? Perhaps on a vase or a bunny? xx Aha hihihi! I think your post, particularly the explanation of the riddle, was fascinating. Thank you as well for including the award here and mentioning Parfait – so nice! You are most deserving of the award xx Hugs and have a nice sleep!

Christy!.
Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your beautiful comment!.
Hmmm… How about a Sphinx with a bunny head!… That would be totally rad… A new version, not a simple hybrid of ancient shapes.
I have many things to tell you… I would have to save them for later, I guess. Happy weekend B2. Aquileana 😀

Again, great post, Aquileana. 🙂 I had to come back and read it again before I commented. What I’ve always wanted to know is the reason the sphinx asked a riddle, as opposed to some other type of contest. Eagerly awaiting your next post.

I would say that it was because the riddle involved knowledge and not just force.
In that time, knowledge was truly important in Greece. For instance, the Seven Sages (of Greece) or Seven Wise Men were represented an aspect of worldly wisdom which is summarized by an aphorism.
The sphinx was said to have guarded the entrance to the Greek city of Thebes, and to have asked a riddle of travelers to allow them passage.
Only a wise man such as Oedipus could solve it. Regardless he would make love with his mother and kill his own father!

Hello dear Aquileana 🙂
Finally, I can learn about the Sphinx! I too, had only had the image of the Egyptian sphinx, but now know of the origins 🙂 I also look forward to your next post ❤
Best wishes,
Takami

Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your great comment, Takami!.
I truly appreciate your words and I am really pleased to know that you liked the post…
Sending you all my best wishes! Merry Christmas, my friend!. Aquileana 😀

Dear Suyash!… Well now we (you and I) know so many Sphinxes, right?
I am pleased to read your comment this morning, my friend.
Thanks for dropping by.
Best wishes and merry Christmas to you and yours. Aquileana 😀

Fascinating post! I loved all the different images you have found of the Sphinx. The British Museum in London has a few Sphinxes I believe – I think I remember seeing them when I last went there. Best wishes to you, dear Aquileana, and have a happy Christmas.

Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your thoughtful comment!.
I truly appreciate your feedback regarding the sphinxes at the British Museum!
Sending you all my best wishes! Merry Christmas, my friend. Aquileana 😀

This is the first time I have heard about the Greek sphinx and they look awesome with the wings. Thanks for well informative post..I feel like I have to visit Athens sooner – your posts are truly remarkable and interesting to read!

Thanks dear aqui for yet another informative post . The riddle and Oedipus solving it is interesting . I have seen the Egyptian Sphinx and the pyramids at Giza some ten years ago and your story reminded me of my days in Egypt… Merry Christmas and happy holidays…Raj .

Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your comment, Raj!.
I am truly glad to know that the post brought you joyful memories and that you enjoyed the reading
Sending you all my best wishes!. Merry Christmas, my friend. Aquileana 😀

How nice to read Greek Mythology written by an unbiased foreigner dear Aquileana ! Handsomely presented as always ! BTW,I am certain sure you’ll have heard about the 2.300-years-old Sphinxes which were recently excavated in Amphipolis-Macedonia-Greece.

Hi dear Doda!.. I have read about Amphipolis at Twitter !. Great that you included the video over here.
Thanks for adding your valuable insights and this particular information over here my friend.
And again!… Sorry for missing your comment on Aphrodite’s post. But I guess now I am updated.
All the best to you and Merry Christmas!. Love and Peace. Aquileana 😀

Oh what a wicked web we weave… I love the implications of Oedipus and his self-fulfilling prophecy, but I hadn’t realized/remembered that Creon made the proclamation that whoever could solve the riddle could marry Jocasta and also get the kingdom. Gotta love how tragic a Greek tragedy can be 😉

Dear JeriWB… Thanks a lot for dropping by and for summarizing Oedipus Rex’s plot.
I will be posting on it probably the first weeks of next year, which means very soon!.
Thanks for encouraging me to do so with your comment!.
All the very best to you and happy holidays season, liebling.
Aquileana 😀

How interesting that the meaning of sphinx was “to squeeze”, “to tighten up” – it certainly seems fitting given that she was carrying out a campaign of blackmail and extortion in Thebes. Poor Oedipus… that guy never had a chance, did he? 😦

And I love the Gustave Moreau painting, too – so elegant and bizarre 🙂

Fascinating, as always! It’s been a pleasure remembering all these myths each week and, in case this is my last visit before the big day, I hope you have a lovely Christmas, dear Aquileana! And best wishes for the new year 😀

Hi there dear Sue. Thanks for your thorough comment and for taking time to read in depht… Oedipus’ story is truly interesting, isn’t it?… I will probably post more about it soon (next year!).
Great to know that you enjoyed the post and like the paintings.
Moureau’s artwork is impressive. I am with you in that point!.
Thanks for sharing your insights. Sending you all my best wishes!.
Aquileana 😀

Aquileana, I love this post, “The Sphinx and her Riddle”. The Sphinx is such an alluring creature, even with all the ill will she imposes. I think along with the Siren, she is probably one of the most beautiful of all the mythological creations. I’m so glad that you shared her riddle and answer, of course to me it seems as if she was only taunting man with her riddle, completely minimizing his life, and showing him how insignificant his is. Thank goodness for Oedipus! You know I always love the artwork you select. “Oedipus and the Sphinx” by both Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, and Gustave Moreau are equally stunning! Please enjoy the remainder of your Sunday, also wishing you and your family a wonderful and Happy Holiday Season!

Dear Pepper!.
Thanks for your thoughtful and clever comment… It is certainly a gift to me and such an honor to read it!…
I agree with your words regarding the hidden meaning of the riddle and haven’t seen it that way… Like a sort of expression of omnipotence and omniscience coming from the Sphinx… Thanks for sharing your insights with me!. I much appreciate them.
All my best wishes to you and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Love and Peace!. Aquileana 😀

Well done on receiving, The Real Neat Blog Award… very well deserved by a really neat blog.

The Sphynx… oh no, not again! Another one of those feminine terrors that scare the crap out of me. 😀 Where are my goddesses of beauty, love and wisdom? 😛 Where are the seductive ones I would sell my soul too? lol

Isn’t there something about being turned to stone if you look at a Sphynx or am I getting mixed up here?

Great post, absolutely loved and and learned a couple of things too. (I’m not very good at riddles though… shh.)

Oh Kev Your comments always make me smile… And most times laugh!.
Well even greek beautiful goddesses were mean… Do you remember Aphrodite?… You are not always sure with them I ‘d say….

As to your question regarding being turned to stone if you look at the Sphinx I read or heard something similar… Well at least I sounded familiar to me when you mentioned it… Although, I don’t know which is the source or myth or where to locate it… Therefore, I’ll be owning you that information!.

Great to read your comment… Thanks a lot for dropping by. All my best wishes to you, Kev… and Merry Christmas!. Aquileana 😀

So interesting, Aquileana. I was familiar with Egyptian sphinxes but not Greek. You pack so much info into your posts, it’s amazing. I learn more each time I visit! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! 🙂 ❤

Sphinxes have felt to me like a mythical animal that ought to have a bigger presence in contemporary pop culture. You can see plenty of dragons and unicorns and mermaids, and even a modest number of wyverns and harpies and such, but sphinxes seem to be interesting but under-used.

Thanks for sharing your interesting insights… It is true… Even lots of Greek Gods and Goddesses tend to reappear in manga comics and those kind of stuff!… All the very best to you, dear Joseph. Merry Christmas. Aquileana 😀

Hi Aquileana. An intriguing post on the Sphinx with a very appropriate title. It’s interesting how each country has its own interpretation of symbols, in this case the Sphinx (e.g. Egyptian vs Greek). Very informative and fascinating! All the best, season’s joy and happy holidays. Iris 🙂

Hi dear Iris.
Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your clever comment!.
I much appreciate that you highlight the fact that sphinxes were depicted differently according to different cultures. Well pointed out!
Sending you all my best wishes!. Merry Christmas. Aquileana 😀

Aquileana I have seen the mystical Sphinx statue in Egypt and was in awe of its beauty. I did not realise there were so many variants on this myth. I love the riddle too, my daughter will enjoy it as she loves reading books with riddles. Thank you for another interesting post and a Happy Christmas to you.

As I lay here doing my rounds today from my bed.. I have learnt something new yet again.. I thought all sphinx’s were the same.. 🙂
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas dear Aquileana and I hope to learn more as we head out together upon a new Blogging year together..
Love and Blessings for a wonderful Christmas Holiday.. and a Very Happy New Year to you my friend..
Love Sue ❤

What a beautiful comment dear Sue… your words mean a lot to me . Toast to you and yours and… I am in for a new great year of blogger exchanges… Bring on the everlasting Magic, please!.
All the very best to you. Hugs. Aquileana 😀

Aquileana, now, when I do the sphinx posture in yoga I will think of you and this post. I particularly liked the first photo of the Egyptian sphinx. She looks so calm. Happy Holidays, dear blogger friend. Hugs.

Hi my dear friend,
now I put my Christmas gifts
and I hope you like them.
And you? What do you have received?
For the 24 I was in my sister’s house
and for Christmas I was in my aunt’s house.
I loved these days so much.
I wish you a happy and wonderful new year 2015
full of joy, peace and love.
Kisses*******

I apologize for the message, off topic, but I changed the URL, I had my reasons, if you find me at this address: https://viatainpictura.wordpress.com/.
Thank you so much for your understanding.
I wish you a wonderful day! 🙂

Hello there Sandra!.
Thank you very much for dropping by… I am pleased to know that you enjoyed the reading and that this post brought back nice memories to you … I wish I could also visit Greece too!. Best wishes for the new year ahead, Aquileana 😀

Amazing!. Thank you very much dear Doris… I’ll try to make it fit in my new post on thursday… But if I don’t include it by then then it will posted be next week… Happy New Year!. Best wishes. Aquileana 😀

Thank you very much for dropping by and commentinf!. I am really pleased to know that you liked the post and learnt through it.
It is a pleasure to connect with you at Blogland… Let´s keep it up, shall we?.
Sending you all my best wishes for a happy New Year!. Aquileana 😀

My best wishes back to you! As for keeping this up, that would be a great pleasure, yet one I find so difficult: So many brilliant writers are there! How to keep up, read them all, write, work, live… I see I shall have to Follow you, is all. But please write slowly, and post infrequently, for the sake of my plodding, but interested, self!

LOL… Well I usually post once a week and my posts and not that long!… but sometimes the further analysis might be longer, I guess… You feel free to visit anytime you want to!. Thank you very much for following my blog!. All the best to you Outlier Babe. Aquileana 😀

I really like the story of the Sphinx and learn so much from your post. I do wonder why the Greeks made so many strange beings? They seem nonsensical even though they have the powers of all the creatures making them up. The first and last images only reinforce the absurdity of those unions or meetings.

A very clever comment!… I guess ancient greeks liked hybrids, right?. 🙂
Absurd and fantasy were clearly present in Greek Myths, that’s an indubitable statement!.
Thank you very much for dropping by and for sharing your thoughts!.
Sending you all my best wishes for the new year ahead!. Aquileana 😀

Thank you dear Anna for your beautiful words over here. They mean a lot to me and I am so happy to know you! ❤
I am wishing you a marvelous 2015 ahead filled with much love, Joy and Peace to you and your family.
All the best to you!. Aquileana 😀

Your post reminded me of when we read Oedipus Rex in school – I really liked the lessons of that play.
And congrats on your blog award! Well-deserved my friend! And I love your “snow” haha.
So good to see you! Abrazos

“Oedipus Rex” is a remarkable book, isn’t it?…. So glad to read your comment dear Cynthia…
Thank you!… And, by the way, it is summer over here in Argentina… That snow is a little bit odd, eh!?
Abrazos and Happy (almost) New Year to you.
Aquileana 😀

Eric!, I truly appreciate the quality of your posts and your blog stands out!. So it is great to learn from each other!.
It is a pleasure to connect with you at WordPress. Thanks for your comment here and I am wishing you the very best for the new year ahead.
Best regards!, Aquileana 😀

Hello Aquileana!
This morning wordpress gave me the annual summary of my blog and saw that among the followers that most have commented on my post was you! 🙂
So THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU !!! 🙂
I wish you a 2015 full of happiness !!!
With love!
Beatrice

Thank you very much for driopping by and for your kind words. ⭐
How neat to know that I am a member of your WP community. It is great to connect with you. Let´s keep it up, shall we? 😛
Happy New Year, dear Beatrice. Best wishes. Aquileana 😀

Dear Aquileana..
Wishing you a wonderful and Happy New Year my lovely friend.. I wish you all the very best for 2015..
Sending you tons of Blessings your way, full of abundance in Health and Happiness..
Have Fun with your friends.. Take care dear one and see you Next Year! 🙂
❤ ❤ ❤ xxx

Hi dear Irina~
You are right regarding the differences between the Greek and the Egyptian Sphinxes. Very well highlighted!..
As to Oedipus, I agree with you he was clever indeed… Maybe that’s why he was cursed by the Gods?… Just wondering!.
All the very best to you in 2015. I am looking forward to your future posts during the year. Hugs!. Aquileana 😀

Hello my dear friend ,
how did you spend these holidays ?
the last year I have been to my sister’s house
to eat baked shrimp and drinking rivers of champagne ,
we also played bingo and laughed until tears .
The new year has begun bathed in a beautiful snow
but also by tragedies .

Here in Italy died a famous Neapolitan singer,
of an heart attack .
All singers are dying at age 60 of a heart attack !
And I was sick because of the fruits and vegetables full of pesticides .
That’s why we die young !

Your welcome. I noticed that one of your posts had a couple of hundred comments and you replied thoughtfully to each and every one. Now I can understand why Henry Chamberlin from Comics Grinder gave you a top spot on the Excellence Blog award. Wow!

[…] I want to thank Doris for nominationg me for a Versatile Blogger Award on my post about the Sphinxes II) I also want to thank Suyash Chopra for nominating my blog for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award […]

What a cool blog! I already loved mythology during my Latin lessons in high school. This brings back a lot of memories from trips to Rome and other cities where I was looking for ancient sculptures and stuff 🙂 thank you! And congrats for the award 🙂

Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your beautiful comment!.
I truly appreciate your words. And I am happy to know that you enjoyed the reading and liked the sculptures and paintings!.
Sending you all my best wishes!. Aquileana ⭐

[…] looked like a dog and was a Psychopomp and Ruler of the Underworld. Upon the wheel we can see a Sphinx, keeping the balance of the wheel itself. There is a snake on the left of the card. Some say this […]